Illuminated advertising device

ABSTRACT

An illuminated sign where each letter is provided with its own current control mechanism and with means operable to mechanically and electrically, detachably connect the letter to mounting rails. In another aspect of the invention, rotary bars or lugs provided with slip clutch means and position locking means are provided to secure the rails to a sign base or bracket means.

United States Patent [1 1 Mutzhas 1 1 ILLUMINATED ADVERTISING DEVICE[76] Inventor: Maximilian Frledrich Mutzhas,

Pigersheimerstrasse 64, 8 Munich 90, Germany 22 Filed: Sept. 12,1973 2|App1.No.:396,863

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser No. 123,202, March11. 1971- abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 40/130 G; 40/130 L [5 I] Int. Cl. G09F 13/26 [58] Field ofSearch 40/130 G. 130 H, 130 L, 40/130 E, 52 R; 315/107 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.824.204 9/1931 Fitch 40/130 G 1.885.973 l1/1932 Wilson 40/130 G 2.166.036 7/1939 Bertoyem. 40/130 H 2.234.7453/1941 Rarrel 1 1 40/130 L 2.810.862 10/1957 Smith 315/107 X 2.885.5385/1959 Mahonet a1 40/130 G X 1 Nov. 18, 1975 Primal Eraminer-Robert W.Michell Assistant Examiner-Vance Y. Hum

Altornev, Agent, or FirmBurns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis 1 1 ABSTRACT Anilluminated sign where each letter is provided with its own currentcontrol mechanism and with means operable to mechanically andelectrically, detachably connect the letter to mounting rails. Inanother aspect of the invention. rotary bars or lugs provided with slipclutch means and position locking means are provided to secure the railsto a sign base or bracket means.

7 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet1of8 3,919,798

US. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet20f8 3,919,798

23a ////y/7//////j 15 Fig. 5

INVENTOR Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 4 of8 INVENTOR U.S. Patent Nov.18,1975 Sheet 5 of8 3,919,798

F lg. 70

INVENTOR U.S. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet70f8 3,919,798

Fig. I8

IN V EN TOR U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 8 of8 3,919,798

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1N VEN TOR ILLUMINATEI) ADVERTISING DEVICE This is a continuation, ofapplication Ser. No. 123,202 filed Mar. 1 l, l97l, now abondoned.

GENERAL BACKGROUND, OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION This inventionconcerns an illuminated advertising device in which fluorescent tubesare provided with a device for the supply of operating current.

Hitherto, due to the practical realization of the many requirementsconcerning a large variety of forms, illuminated advertising deviceshave been manufactured individually and have therefore been veryexpensive as a result of high labour costs.

In order to reduce the costs, the means of supplying current toconventional illuminated advertising devices has been simplified byconnecting a comparatively large number of fluorescent letters in serieswith associated fluorescent tubes and supplying the letters with currentfrom a common transformer.

On the one hand, this involved the necessity of using high voltage,whereby the savings achieved by the reduction of costs for materials forthe current supply means was lost. This loss resulted from theconnections for the individual letters which were expensive because ofthe safety regulations for high tension, and because of the necessity ofhaving the assembling effected by skilled workers.

On the other hand, special planning, manufacture and assembling byskilled workers was necessary for each individual illuminatedadvertising device.

In the case of conventional illuminated advertising installations on themodular or building block system, it is not necessary to make highvoltage connections between the letters at the place of assembly.However, the arrangement of transformers on the outside of the back ofthe casing or frame for the letters makes the use of damp-proofconnections and covers for the transformers necessary and, moreover,prevents the close contact of the letter with the surface of a wall.

Although it is known to mount the transformer of illuminated letterssupporting the freely radiating fluorescent tubes at the front, partlywithin the base wall, the transformer is exposed externally. Moreover,these conventional, illuminated advertising installations require a mainsupply connection on each individual fluorescent letter and thepositioning of the leads on the assembly frame to be effected by skilledlabor.

Hitherto illuminated advertising devices have usually been secured totheir rails by means of brackets, or the like, screwed into wall plugs.The attachment has preferably been effected by means of plugs mounted inthe wall surface by screws screwed into the rail through bores. Inaddition, the rail with the fluorescent letters has first been heldagainst the wall, the points of attachment marked, then the fluorescentor luminous sign re moved, the holes for the plugs made, the plugsinserted, and then the brackets and/or the rail screwed on tight. Sincethese illuminated advertising devices were frequently of considerableweight and had to be attached to the wall in places which wereaccessible only with difficulty, this work involved not only much timeand expense, but also danger to the fitters.

The object of the present invention resides in providing an illuminatingadvertising device of the abovementioned kind which can be mountedwithout difiiculty by unskilled labor and which can be manufac- 2 turedvery cheaply on the mass production principle. In achieving this object,the attachment can be effected more rapidly and simply, than hitherto,with an absolutely reliable and secure fit, with the device being fixedin position with only very few manipulations.

This is achieved in accordance with the present invention by the featurethat each fluorescent tube system has its own switching mechanism andthat the relief bodies, on which the luminous bodies are arranged, maybe mounted on a corresponding base by means of a securing device.

Due to this arrangement of the present invention, the manufacture ofluminous signs is greatly simplified. More particularly, assembling canbe effected in a very short time even by unskilled or semi-skilledworkers, since no high tension leads are involved in the assembling.Luminous signs can also be assembled in situ, a feature which hithertowas always extremely difficult on account of the rigid safetyregulations concerning high voltage. The actual high voltage supply hasvery short connecting leads which can be made quite dampproof. Since theentire voltage part is located within the letter, maximum safety isobtained. Each item of the sign can be cast from a block of suitablytransparent plastics material, the fluorescent and at least the mostessential parts of the means supplying operating voltage being pre-castin plastics material. Reliable operation is still further increased bythis arrangement, since the penetration of moisture and the risk ofsparking or flash'overs are avoided without special safety measures.

The means of supplying operating voltage can be interchanged, at leastwith most essential parts. When the individual sign has a box-shapedbody in which a transparent cover plate, with sealing surfaces at rightangles to its outer surface, is parallel to the countersurface of thebox-shaped casing, elastic sealing members are preferably providedbetween these surfaces located perpendicularly to the plane of the sign.At the same time these sealing members may have an undulated orcorrugated cross-section and comprise strips of elastic rubber whichenclose the marginal area of one of the surfaces by a U-shapedcross-sectional portion along one edge.

The fluorescent tube system is preferably designed so that the ignitionvoltage is below 1,000 volts. This arrangement is possible, inaccordance with the present invention by the supplying of operatingcurrent to each individual tube from its own means. If desired, severaltubes may be provided in one sign and, for each tube, its own means ofsupplying the operating current may be provided within the sign. By thismeans, even with relatively large letters and high fluorescent density,op erating voltages below L000 volts can be maintained and safetymeasures for high voltages thereby avoided. Moreover, it is thenpossible, in accordance with the present invention, to use a choke coilor a relatively simple current field transformer as means of controllingthe operating current supply system. The series connecting means is aconstant current device which is formed on the secondary side of thetransformer by a parallel or series connection of inductances andcapacitors, or it may be build up from non-linear electronic components,such as diodes, transistors, thyristors. A constant current device inthis case is one which delivers a constant tube operating currentindependently of the luminous tube load, without external mechanicaloperations.

In order to obtain complete and uniform illumination of the transparentsurfaces by appropriate reflection, the series connecting device may beprovided on its side facing the luminous tube with bevelled or roundededges or be trapezoidal or semi-circular. Further improvement of theillumination may be achieved if the series connecting device is providedon its outer sides with a reflecting coating. In order to renderpossible the use of identical series connecting devices independently ofthe construction of the individual signs, the series connecting deviceis provided with a device for regulating the operating current.

This regulating device may be a fixing or adjusting screw located withits head against the upper side of the series connecting device. Thetightening of this screw influences the position of the field or core.However, a threaded bore may also be formed in the field or core of theseries connecting device. In the bore a wing screw is screwed, andinfluences the action of the core or field.

The letters are preferably provided with devices for securing them to atleast one common rail which is mounted on a base or mounting surface.The rail preferably has a rearwardly open, C-cross section. The mountingsurface or surfaces of this sign latching bars spaced therefrom by aclearance corresponding to the thickness of the C-section. At least twosuch rotatable bars may be provided, each having eccentric peripheraledges. The distance between these edges corresponds approximately to theinner clearance between spaced free edges of the rail section. Themaximum radius of each bar is approximately equal to half the height ofthe rail section. By this arrangement of the present invention, andafter positioning of the bars in the mounting surface or surfaces in aline corresponding to the desired direction in which the fluorescentsigns to be fixed, the rail with the fluorescent sign can be simplymounted on the bars, with each bar being located with its maximum lengthin the direction of a rail opening and received in the opening. The barcan then be turned so that the rail is supported, by the inside of itsupper wall, on the bar portion with a maximum radius. The rail issimultaneously prevented from slipping off of the bar, by the featurethat the bar is now disposed by its longest length transversely to therail and overlapping rail portions on opposite sides of the rail openmg.

In order to prevent unintentional turning of the bar into the lockingposition, a circumferential edge of the C-shaped bar is preferablyformed as a straight supporting edge disposed at right angles to anassociated straight radial line at the place of maximum radius. Thisstraight supporting edge becomes disposed against the inner side of theupper length of the C-section so that the weight of the illuminated signchecks the bar against further rotation.

In order to enable the rail to be placed over the bar easily, the barmay be formed along one edge, in a straight line at right angles to thecontact edge. This straight line extends along the elongate bardirection, parallel to the maximum length or radius direction.

Operation of the rotatable bar may be efiected by any of the variouslyknown means. A threaded bore is preferably provided on securing surfacessuch as mounting brackets. A fixing screw, capable of being tightenedfrom the rear of the securing surface, is mounted in the bore and isdisposed in the rear of the securing surface, is mounted in the bore andis disposed 4 in frictional, rotary clutching, engagement with the bar.An opening for access to the screw may be provided in the cross-piece ofthe rail section opposite a rail opening through which the bar isinserted.

The bar may be mounted, by a bar bore, and via a friction producingsleeve on the fixing screw. This screw serves as a pivot pin for the barand the frictional engagement between the screw, sleeve, and barproduces rotation of the bar only as far as the locking position of thebar.

In these arrangements therefore, during the tightening of the lockingscrew, the bar is brought to the locking position and is then stopped bythe weight of the rail effectively engaging the bar. During any furthertightening of the locking screw, the bar and simultaneously the rail,are stressed by their mutually engaged edges becoming inclined towardeach other. By this means further locking of the bars and of the rail onthe bar is achieved so that any unintentional detachment without othermeans is reliably prevented.

The friction sleeve, i.e. a bushing of elastic material, is disposed inthe bore of said bar. A suction collar is disposed on the rail side ofthe bracket and is slightly thicker than the wall thickness of rail,adjacent the rail opening. By this arrangement, when the screw istightened, the bar is pressed against the collar and joint rotationfurther resisted. In order to prevent vertical displacement of the rail,the maximum diameter of the bar may be approximately equal to the innerheight of the C-section of the rail in the region of the bar contact.

In the event that a bar should become disposed below a letter, such thattightening of the bar would have to be effected in the region of thecross-piece of the rail covered by letters, and so as to facilitate themounting of the letters at the place of assembly, the upright wall ofthe rail C-section may be extended upwardly beyond the section. Eachletter may be provided with at least one hook operable to engage overthe extension of the upright wall.

Thus, the letter can simply be removed upwardly from the rail after thereleasing of any locking devices. This letter, after being placed inposition, becomes fixed in position by its weight at any accuratelypredetermined height on the rail. Any letter can also be screwed to thecrosspiece of the rail by at least one screw.

On the one hand, by this arrangement, the letter is prevented fromtilting sideways in the plane of the rail by the provision of only oneinserted hook. On the other hand, any unintentional raising of theletter by moving the hook upwardly may be prevented by the use of afastening screw between the rail and letter. In order to render possibleeasy adjustments of the letter within certain limits, each suchfastening screw may extend through a slot in the letter.

DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafterwith reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an illuminated letter according to the presentinvention, with the outer surface removed;

FIG. 2 is a section of the FIG. 1 letter taken on the line 2-2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through a modified form of a sign according tothe present invention, in the place where the voltage transformer issecured;

FIG. 4 is a section on a magnified scale of a plug connection accordingto the present invention between the letters and the supporting rail;

FIG. 5 shows two socket-like parts for the plug connection with thecoiled connecting cables;

FIG. 6 is a section through the rail showing a clamping or terminalscrew for the attachment of the illuminated letter;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 through a variant of the plugconnection;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 through another variant of the plugconnection;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a supporting rail with currentconnection;

FIG. 10 is a partial section through a seal, according to the presentinvention, between transparent front wall surfaces and the side wall ofthe box-shaped letter casing;

FIG. 1 l is a schematic plan view of a series connecting device withinserted ignition capacitor;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the holding block of the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the associated stirrup or yoke;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the stirrup assembled with the FIG. I2holding block;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the holding block of a secondembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the holding block according to FIG. 15mounted on the stirrup;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-section through a device of the presentinvention for securing the illuminated sign;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the illuminated letter and the rail accordingto FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the interior of the rail with the rotatablebar, with the upright wall of the section removed, the bar beingdisposed in the position for receiving the rail;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but with the bar in the lockingposition;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the arrangement of a fluorescent tubesupporter holder on the relief body by means of an elastic socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overall Letter Structure The illuminated letter 1in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a letter or indica definingmeans such as abox-shaped casing 2, of sheet metal, the side walls of which may extendalong outer contours of the letter. The front of this casing is coveredby a transparent colored plastic sheet which is secured by means ofscrew connections (not shown) or in any other way.

An illuminating means such as a fluorescent tube 5 adapted to the shapeof the letter is arranged in sockets 3 and 4. A transformer 8 is mountedon the base 6 of the casing by means of a screw 7 or any other securingscrews (not shown). The secondary winding of said transformer 8 isconnected to the sockets 3 and 4 and the primary winding thereof isconnected to the plug connection 9, or socket means, for attachment tothe mains supply.

Connecting means such as straps 11, provided with end slots 10, aremounted on the letter casing 2 with a clearance and position suitablefor all letters to the same size. By means of these straps, the letteris attached to rails 12, through the use of terminal screws engaging endslots 10. In the FIG. I embodiment, the lower rail 12 contains the maincurrent supply means for all the letters of an illuminated sign.

The letter shown in cross-section in FIG. 3 comprises a baseplate 6a anda transparent front wall 23a and a side wall 23b. The transformer 8includes a series connecting device 8a, located below the fluorescenttube 5, has bevelled edges 8b, so that the transparent wall surfaces23bare uniformly illuminated. In the case of a box shaped embodiment alsoof the sign letter, in which the side wall consists of slightly opaquematerial, a more uniform illumination of the transparent front wall 23ais obtained by this design of the series connecting device, as a resultof better reflection, the surface of the series connecting device beingalso provided with a reflecting surface means such as a reflecting sheetis desired. As was previously described, the series connecting device isa constant current device formed on the secondary side of thetransformer to deliver a constant operating current to the fluorescenttube independently of luminous tube load and without external mechanicaloperations.

Plug Connections FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the plugconnections. Insulating housings 13 having a T-cross section for thesocket-like corresponding parts are provided in the rail 12 having aC-cross section. The lower side is provided with a compression spring 14which urges the plug portion 15 outwardly projecting through the slotand simultaneously renders possible displacement of the housing 13 alongthe rails.

The base wall 6 of the letter casing 2 is provided with a depression 16in which the plug member 17 of the connection is disposed. A rubbersleeve 18, projecting outwardly beyond the base wall in its relaxedcondition, is disposed on the peripheral wall of the depression. Whenthe plug connection is assembled, the projecting part of the sleeve 18engages rail 12 and presses inwardly and compresses the internal sleevesurface into a damp-proof contact with the peripheral wall of theprojecting plug member 15.

All the plug-like corresponding parts 13 of a set of luminous signs canbe connected by an extensible or coiled cable connections 19 so that thespace between the plug-like members for the illuminated sign can beadjusted, corresponding to the construction of each letter. The spacebetween adjacent letters can thus be selected without electricalconnections having to be established or changed.

The electrical current supply means, comprising plug means such as theplug-like member 13 and a cable 19, can be manufactured practically asan endless chain. When ordered or on the site, this means can beseparated to provide a component chain including the desired cablelength and number of connections 13-15. One end of the resultantcomponent chain can be used for producing the connection to the currentsupply source.

Clip Mounting for better on Rails As shown in FIG. 6, the letters may beattached to the rails 12 by clip means such as clips 20 consisting of C-shaped flat metal members. These members have, on their uprights, athreaded bore 21 in which a terminal screw 22 is screwed. The screw 22,or threaded fastening means, is disposed in an end slot 10 of the strapsl l.

7 In this embodiment the clips 20 are located in telescoping or flushrelation with the inner walls of the rail so that the cable 19 passessmoothly through the clips 20 and does not prevent their displacement.

In the assembling operation, the rails ll, 12 are cut to the desiredlength, the corresponding number of clips 20 and the plug-like members13 for the current connection are slipped alternately into the railsserving for the supply of current from the open end.

The individual letters are then inserted into the plug connections andeasily secured by means of the clamping screws and straps 11. Theletters are displaced along the rails, with the clamping screws, straps,clips and plugs 15 into their desired position and then the clampingscrews on the upper rail 12 are tightened. The clips located on theupper rail 12 can then be tightened on the corresponding straps 11 viathe clamping screws of the clips on this upper rail.

Removable Letter Wall The screw 7 on the transformer 8 is used not onlyfor purposes of attachment, but also for setting the secondary voltageof the transformer.

In order to effect an adjustment of the voltage for influencing theintensity of the illumination of the letter, or in order to exchangeparts within the casing of the letter, the outer surface of the letterformed by a plastic strip 23 is removable. In order, on the other hand,to prevent the penetration of moisture into the casing, and on the otherhand not to restrict the possibility of removal, the seal shown in FIG.10 can be used. The plastic strip 23 is disposed with its edge 24against the inner surface 25 of the side wall of the casing 2, namely onhearing supports 26. Inserted between the wall surfaces 24, 25 is asealing strip 27 of rubber with a corrugated cross section which mergesat its upper edge into a U- shaped cross section 28 enclosing the freeedge of the side wall 2. The strip is secured in position by a J-profiled strip 29 which is secured to the side wall of the casing 2 bymeans of screws 30.

Alternates to Plug Connection A variant of the current connection isshown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, the guide rail 31 having a C-shaped cross section containstubular electrical conductors 32 which are embedded in a synthetic, castplastic material 33. In addition, the rail has longitudinal bores 34which receive mounting screws. The base 6 of the letter is provided withan opening closed by a cover plate 35, of aluminum, for example, intowhich contact prongs or mandrel means 37 are inserted through insulatedholders 36. The lowest mandrel in the drawing can be inserted in theplate without insulation. The mandrels have terminals 38 for theconnection of the lead. Fastening screws engage the cover plate 35 andextend into the rail of sign base plate so that when the fasteningscrews are tightened, the mandrels are pressed through the castingmaterial 35 into the corresponding conductors 32. In order to ensure thenecessary space between the individual mandrels, said mandrels may beobliquely staggered.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of this connection in which an I-I-shaped metalring 41 is provided with conductors 42, embedded in plastic or rubber43, and having slots at the front. The composition 43 has longitudinalslots 44 putting the conductors into communication with the outside. Theletter base plate 45 of insulated material,

8 for example, carries conductor mandrels 46 with prongs 47 similarly tothe mandrels 37.

The rail and the outside casting composition is provided with a plasticcover 48. When fixing screws are tightened, the plate 45 is pressedagainst a clip 49 enclosing the rail. This presses the mandrels 46through the seal-defining plastic cover 48 and the prongs 41 throughslots 44 into the conductors 42 and thus producing the voltage.

Rail Connections For the connection of several rails coupled together, arail 50 may have a cavity 51 at its ends. The conductors of each railare connected to cables, at the ends of which plugs 53 or plug couplings54 are mounted. The cavity 51 is large enough for the schuko plug 53 andthe cable to find sufficient space therein. Either the schuko part canbe inserted in the cavity and the end of the rail be closed with asleeve 55 or, for coupling two rails together, the associated plugs 52,53 can be assembled together, then inserted into their cavities and thetwo rails connected by means of a connecting plug sleeve 56.

Transformer and Starter For simplifying the assembling and facilitatinginterchanging, the voltage transformer 58 according to FIG. 11 may beprovided on its face with a T-shaped guide 59 in which the ignitingcapacitor 60 is inserted.

Conductor rails 61 are provided at the front, forming slide contacts.After the insertion of the capacitor 60 into the guide 59, thesecontacts connect the capacitor electrically with the potentialtransformer.

Tube Mounting A holding block 71, or support means, has on its upperside a partial cylindrical depression 72, for resilient gripping means,the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the fluorescenttube, taking into consideration a slight force of interference fit. Thecircumference of depression 72 amounts to more than half thecircumference of the fluorescent tube. Thus, the side surfaces 73enclose the inserted fluorescent tube like claws and holds them firmlyin the block.

The base of the holding block 71 has slots 74 forming a web 75 whichconnects the block 71 to the base 76.

A mounting yoke 77 is bent U-shaped from a metal strip as shown in FIG.13. The sides of yoke 77 are bent at an angle outwardly to form securingflanges 78. The cross piece 79 of the strip contains a longitudinal slotor hole 80.

The web 75 passes through the slot 80 and has an approximately squarecross section with a side length of approximately the width of the slot80.

As shown in FIG. 14, after the assembling of block 71 and yoke 77, thebase 78 extends transversely through the slot 80. The holding block 71can thus be displaced along the slot 80. Assembling is effected simplyby insetting the base 76 longitudinally into the slot 80 and turningwith a locking effect, as permitted elastic deformation of the edge ofthe part 75 is allowable. With a suitable selection of the width of theslot 80, relative to the thickness of the cross piece 79 of the strip77, and by slightly tilting the block 7] longitudinally of the insertedfluorescent tube, the block can be secured after adjustment onto thestrip 77.

The alternate block 81 shown in FIG. 15, also has a partiallycylindrical recess 82 for receiving the fluores- 9 cent tube via itssurface 83 corresponding to the recess 72 and the side surfaces 73 inFIG. 12.

In its lower part the block has only one transverse slot 84 which formsa web 85 on the front of the block 81. This web connects the block 81 tothe base 86. The stirrup 87 has no slot 80, like that of embodimentaccording to FIGS. 13 and 14, but a width corresponding approximately tothe width of the slot 84. When the stirrup 87 is secured by its flanges88 on the base, the block 81 is slipped by the slot 84 on the web 89 ofthe stirrup 87, the fluorescent tube is inserted and, after alignment,the block 81 is displaced somewhat to the side where the slot 84 islocated. The block 81 is thereby kept with resilient pressure on thestirrup through the edge of the slot 84. Since at least two holders arerequired for each tube, the tube can be secured with an opposingarrangement of these holders.

Rail Mounting Screwed into mounting surface means such as sign basebracket 91, is a screw 92, or pivot, with head 93. A rotatable lockinglug or bar 94 is mounted on the screw 93. Screw 93 passes through a barbore 95. A bushing 96 of plastic material is disposed in the bore 95. Acollar 97 is disposed between the bar and the screw head. A collar 98 isdisposed between the bar and the securing surface on the bracket 91.Bushing 97 and collars 97 and 98 frictionally impede rotation of bar 94.

The rail 99 has a C-cross section open at the rear towards the securingsurface 91. The upright wall 100 merges upwardly into an extension 101projecting above the section. The wall 100 is also provided with anopening 102 through which the screw head 93 can be gripped by a tool.

A letter 103 is disposed by its base 104 on the front of the wall 100 ofthe rail 99. A securing bar 105, is secured to the wall 104 by spotwelding, for example and engages, by its free end 106, the extension 101of the wall 100.

As shown in plan view in FIG. 18, the inserted bar 105 is secured to oneside of the letter, whilst on the other side a screw 107 is screwed intoa threaded bore of the wall 100 of the rail 99 through a slot in thebase 104 of the letter 103. By this arrangement the letter 103 is easilydetachable by means of the hook 105 and the screw 107.

In FIGS. 19 and the rail 99 is shown in plan from the right of FIG. 17,the wall 100 and the extension 101 being removed however.

The upper side wall 108 and the lower side wall 109, as also the spacedside edges 110 and 111 of the rail are shown.

In FIG. 19 the bar 94 is shown in a position in which its maximumexpansion is horizontal. Thus, the shortest diameter of the bar 94corresponding approximately to the inner diameter of the edges 110 and111 is located in the direction of this inner space so that the rail canbe mounted on the bar.

While the height of the bar is somewhat greater than the bar-receivingopening between 110 and 111, the rail can be easily slipped behind thebar, first by the upper edge 110, and then the other edge 111 can bebrought over the bar 44 when the rail is placed vertically. When the bar94 is thus positioned inside the C profile of the rail, the screw head93, or suitable means for rotating the bar, can be gripped and turned bymeans of a screwdriver through the bore 102, a number of which canbeprepared in advance at pre-determined spaced intervals or which can bepunched out at the site. The friction between the screw 92 in thebushing 96 and the bore in the bar 94, functions like a yieldablefriction clutch to rotate the bar into the locking position shown inFIG. 20, in which the flat supporting edge 112 substantially restsagainst the inside of the upper wall 108, the bar point opposite fromedge 1 12 permitting this rotation. The resistance formed by thiscomplex is greater than the friction between the screw 92, by way of thebush 96, on the bore 95 in the bar 94, so that the bar remains in theposition shown in FIG. 20, if the screw 92 is tightened further by meansof the head 93. At the same time the bar is pressed against the edges110, 111 and simultaneously the collar 98 is pressed between the bar andthe wall surface 91, so that a further locking position is reached.Thus, after the screw 92 is completely tightened, this arrangement isfixed so that displacement of the rail on the bar or slid ing from thebar is reliably prevented. The securing is effected after the rail issuspended from the bar 94 in the position shown in FIG. 19, so that itis not necessary to secure the sign during the tightening. Thus, theinstallation work is considerably simplified, compared with anattachment by means of screwing, for example, with a screw extendingthrough a bore in the wall.

The bore in the bar may also be a threaded bore and a head screw screwedthrough the then smooth bore in the bracket from the back of saidbracket 91. Instead of the plastic bushing 96, 97 and 98, a conventionalplastic screw connection may be used for increasing friction.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADVANTAGES AND OVERALL SCOPE OF INVENTION As will beappreciated, the letter mounting arrangement described in connectionwith FIG. 1 provides an arrangement where each letter includes its owncurrent controlling device and transformer. This arrangement minimizesthe level of voltages required to be maintained at the sites of themounting rails.

The reflecting surfaces provided by the current regulator housing tendsto provide uniform sign body illumination, internal obstructions in thesign notwithstandmg.

The sliding mounting clips of the rails in conjunction with the lettermounting strips provide a convenient and simple arrangement fordetachably securing letter in place on the mounting rings.

The various electrical connectors described, for connecting the railmounted conductors to the letter carried fluorescent tubes enableelectrical connections to be made substantially all along the raillength, and substantially independent of the position of the letter onthe rails.

The rail mounting arrangement described in conjunction with FIGS. 17-20facilitates the mounting of rails on a frame mounting surface orbracket.

As will be appreciated, the letters may be attached to the rails and therails then installed on the mounting surface. Alternately, the rails maybe installed first on the mounting surface after which the letters maybe po sitioned as desired on the rails.

In any event, the simple rail arrangement, including the foolproof raillocking lugs or bars contribute to overall ease of installation of asign including the letter arrangements described in connection with FIG.1.

The fluorescent tube mounting units with their inherent ease ofinstallation and adjustability, facilitates minor positioning of thefluorescent tube elements necessary to achieve proper presentation orvisual effect in the illuminated letter itself.

Modifications such as those described in the application may be made,however, those skilled in the advertising sign art and familiar with thedisclosure of this invention may envision other additions, deletions,substitutions or modifications which would fall within the purview ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An advertising device comprising:

indicia defining means;

illuminating means mounted on said indicia defining means;

current regulating means mounted on and carried by said indicia definingmeans and for automatically regulating current supplied to saidilluminating means at a substantially constant value thereby regulatinglight intensity;

rail means;

selectively attachable and detachable connecting means and operable todetachably connect said rail means and indicia defining means;

electric current supply means carried by said rail means and operable todetachably engage said indicia defining means and supply electricalcurrent to said illuminating means through said regulating means;

mounting surface means;

pivot means carried by and projecting outwardly from said mountingsurface means;

rotatable locking lug means supported by said pivot means for pivotalmovement relative to said mounting surface means and having an elongatedirection,

a relatively narrow direction,

a generally flat locking surface operable to engage one longitudinalextending, interior portion of said rail means, disposed at oneextremity of said lug means, and extending transversely of said elongatedirection;

lug receiving opening means carried by said rail means and extendinglongitudinally thereof;

operating means for rotating said lug means; and,

means interposed between said operating means and said lug means forproviding yieldable frictional engagement therebetween;

said lug means being operable to be inserted through said opening meansof said rail means;

said lug means when inserted through said opening means being operableto be rotated by said operating means to bring the locking surfacethereof into generally mating engagement with one interior portion ofsaid rail means;

said frictional engagement providing means being operable to cause saidlocking surface means to remain in mating engagement with said oneinterior portion of said rail means, when said operating means isactuated, by interrupting the transmission of lug rotating movement fromsaid operating means to said lug means.

2. An advertising device comprising:

letter defining means;

fluorescent tube means mounted on said letter defining means;

current regulating means mounted on and carried by said letter definingmeans for delivering alternating current to said fluorescent tube meansat a substantially constant current value independently of the loadpresented by the fluorescent tube means to thereby regulate lightintensity at a substantially constant predetermined level;

rail means;

selectively attachable and detachable connecting means and operable todetachably connect said rail means and letter defining means;

alternating current supply means carried by said rail means and operableto detachably engage said letter defining means and supply alternatingelectrical current to said fluorescent tube means through said currentregulating means;

said current regulating means being individually associated with saidletter defining means to supply said current of constant value to onlysaid associated letter defining means;

said current regulating means including body means housed said letterdefining within means between a portion of said fluorescent tube meansand an interior wall portion of said letter defining means, said bodymeans including reflecting surface means extending longitudinally ofsaid fluorescent tube means, and operable to reflect light from saidfluorescent tube means toward side wall portions of said letter definingmeans.

3. An advertising device as described in claim 2 wherein:

said rail means includes an elongate rail having a generally C-shapedcross section defining an elongate opening; said connecting meanscomprises generally C-shaped clip means mounted within andlongitudinally slidable along the interior of said rail, threadedfastening means carried by said clip means and projecting outwardly fromsaid elongate opening of said rail; and said letter defining meansincludes connecting means which extend longitudinally of said rail andprovide end portions displaced longitudinally of said rail, saidthreaded fastening means carried by said clip means being operable toengage and secure end portions of said connecting means. 4. Anadvertising de vice as described in claim 2 wherein:

said rail means comprises at least one rail having a generally C-shapedcross-section defining an elongated opening;

said electrical current supply means includes at least one plug meansfor each letter defining means mounted within and longitudinallyslideable within the interior of said rail and projecting outwardlythrough the opening thereof; and,

said letter defining means includes additional socket means operable tomatingly engage said plug means and transmit electrical current fromsaid plug means through said socket means to said current regulatingmeans.

5. An advertising device as described in claim 2 wherein:

said rail means comprises at least one rail having a generally C-shapedcross section defining an elongate opening;

13 said electrical supply means includes electrical conductor meansextending longitudinally within said rail means, and insulating meanswithin and generally filling the interior of said rail means, saidconductor means being embedded within said insulating means; and saidletter defining means includes mandrel means operable to project throughsaid insulating means into said conductor means and electrically connectsaid conductor means and said fluorescent tube means. 6. An advertisingdevice as described in claim 2 further comprising:

support means operable to support said fluorescent tube means withinsaid letter defining means, said support means including resilientgripping means having a generally C- shaped opening at one end thereofwhich peripherally engages and grips a portion of said fluorescent tubemeans; and mounting yoke means carried by said letter defining means andoperable to slideably support but yieldably resist lateral movement ofsaid gripping means in relation to said mounting yoke means. 7. Anadvertising device comprising: letter defining means; fluorescent tubemeans mounted on said letter defining means; current regulating meansmounted on and carried by said letter defining means for deliveringcurrent to said fluorescent tube means at a substantially constant valueindependently of the load presented by the fluorescent tube means tothereby regulate light intensity; rail means; selectively attachable anddetachable connecting means and operable to detachably connect said railmeans and letter defining means; electric current supply means carriedby said rail means and operable to detachably engage said letterdefining means and supply electrical current to said fluorescent tubemeans through said current regulating means; said device furtherincluding rail mounting means comprising:

14 mounting surface means; pivot means carried by and projectingoutwardly from said mounting surface means; rotatable locking lug meanssupported by said pivot means for pivotal movement relative to saidmounting surface means and having an elongate direction,

a relatively narrow direction,

a generally flat locking surface operable to engage one longitudinallyextending, interior portion of said rail means, disposed at oneextremity of said lug means, and extending transversely of said elongatedirection,

a generally straight edge surface extending generally transversely ofsaid locking surface,

point means disposed at an end of said lug means opposite from saidlocking surface, said point means being generally aligned with adiameter extending perpendicualr to said locking surface means andthrough the axis of rotation of said pivot means;

lug receiving opening means carried by said rail means and extendinglongitudinally thereof;

means for rotating said lug means;

means interposed between said operating means and said lug means forproviding yieldable frictional engagement therebetween;

said lug means being operable to be inserted through said opening meansof said rail means with the elongate direction of said lug meansextending longitudinally of said opening means;

said lug means when inserted through said opening means being operableto be rotated by said operating means to bring the locking surfacethereof into generally mating engagement with one interior portion ofsaid rail means while said point means abuttingly engages another,longitudinally extending, interior portion of said rail means;

said frictional engagement pfoviding means being opreable to cause saidlocking surface means to remain in mating engagement with said oneinterior portion of said rail means, when said operating means isactuated, by interrupting the transmission of lug rotating movement fromsaid operating means to said lug means.

1. An advertising device comprising: indicia defining means;illuminating means mounted on said indicia defining means; currentregulating means mounted on and carried by said indicia defining meansand for automatically regulating current supplied to said illuminatingmeans at a substantially constant value thereby regulating lightintensity; rail means; selectively attachable and detachable connectingmeans and operable to detachably connect said rail means and indiciadefining means; electric current supply means carried by said rail meansand operable to detachably engage said indicia defining means and supplyelectrical current to said illuminating means through said regulatingmeans; mounting surface means; pivot means carried by and projectingoutwardly from said mounting surface means; rotatable locking lug meanssupported by said pivot means for pivotal movement relative to saidmounting surface means and having an elongate direction, a relativelynarrow direction, a generally flat locking surface operable to engageone longitudinal extending, interior portion of said rail means,disposed at one extremity of said lug means, and extending transverselyof said elongate direction; lug receiving opening means carried by saidrail means and extending longitudinally thereof; operating means forrotating said lug means; and, means interposed between said operatingmeans and said lug means for providing yieldable frictional engagementtherebetween; said lug means being operable to be inserted through saidopening means of said rail means; said lug means when inserted throughsaid opening means being operable to be rotated by said operating meansto bring the locking surface thereof into generally mating engagementwith one interior portion of said rail means; said frictional engagementproviding means being operable to cause said locking surface means toremain in mating engagement with said one interior portion of said railmeans, when said operating means is actuated, by interrupting thetransmission of lug rotating movement from said operating means to saidlug means.
 2. An advertising device comprising: letter defining means;fluorescent tube means mounted on said letter defining means; currentregulating means mounted on and carried by said letter defining meansfor delivering alternating current to said fluorescent tube means at asubstantially constant current value independently of the load presentedby the fluorescent tube means to thereby regulate light intensity at asubstantially constant predetermined level; rail means; selectivelyattachable and detachable connecting means and operable to detachablyconnect said rail means and letter defining means; alternating currentsupply means carried by said rail means and operable to detachablyengage said letter defining means and supply alternating electricalcurrent to said fluorescent tube means through said current regulatingmeans; said current regulating means being individually associated withsaid letter defining means to supply said current of constant value toonly said associated letter defining means; said current regulatingmeans including body means housed said letter defining within meansbetween a portion of said fluorescent tube means and an interior wallportion of said letter defining means, said body means includingreflecting surface means extending longitudinally of said fluorescenttube means, and operable to reflect light from said fluorescent tubemeans toward side wall portions of said letter defining means.
 3. Anadvertising device as described in claim 2 wherein: said rail meansincludes an elongate rail having a generally C-shaped cross sectiondefining an elongate opening; said connecting means comprises generallyC-shaped clip means mounted within and longitudinally slidable along theinterior of said rail, threaded fastening means carried by said clipmeans and projecting outwardly from said elongate opening of said rail;and said letter defining means includes connecting means which extendlongitudinally of said rail and provide end portions displacedlongitudinAlly of said rail, said threaded fastening means carried bysaid clip means being operable to engage and secure end portions of saidconnecting means.
 4. An advertising device as described in claim 2wherein: said rail means comprises at least one rail having a generallyC-shaped cross-section defining an elongated opening; said electricalcurrent supply means includes at least one plug means for each letterdefining means mounted within and longitudinally slideable within theinterior of said rail and projecting outwardly through the openingthereof; and, said letter defining means includes additional socketmeans operable to matingly engage said plug means and transmitelectrical current from said plug means through said socket means tosaid current regulating means.
 5. An advertising device as described inclaim 2 wherein: said rail means comprises at least one rail having agenerally C-shaped cross section defining an elongate opening; saidelectrical supply means includes electrical conductor means extendinglongitudinally within said rail means, and insulating means within andgenerally filling the interior of said rail means, said conductor meansbeing embedded within said insulating means; and said letter definingmeans includes mandrel means operable to project through said insulatingmeans into said conductor means and electrically connect said conductormeans and said fluorescent tube means.
 6. An advertising device asdescribed in claim 2 further comprising: support means operable tosupport said fluorescent tube means within said letter defining means,said support means including resilient gripping means having a generallyC-shaped opening at one end thereof which peripherally engages and gripsa portion of said fluorescent tube means; and mounting yoke meanscarried by said letter defining means and operable to slideably supportbut yieldably resist lateral movement of said gripping means in relationto said mounting yoke means.
 7. An advertising device comprising: letterdefining means; fluorescent tube means mounted on said letter definingmeans; current regulating means mounted on and carried by said letterdefining means for delivering current to said fluorescent tube means ata substantially constant value independently of the load presented bythe fluorescent tube means to thereby regulate light intensity; railmeans; selectively attachable and detachable connecting means andoperable to detachably connect said rail means and letter definingmeans; electric current supply means carried by said rail means andoperable to detachably engage said letter defining means and supplyelectrical current to said fluorescent tube means through said currentregulating means; said device further including rail mounting meanscomprising: mounting surface means; pivot means carried by andprojecting outwardly from said mounting surface means; rotatable lockinglug means supported by said pivot means for pivotal movement relative tosaid mounting surface means and having an elongate direction, arelatively narrow direction, a generally flat locking surface operableto engage one longitudinally extending, interior portion of said railmeans, disposed at one extremity of said lug means, and extendingtransversely of said elongate direction, a generally straight edgesurface extending generally transversely of said locking surface, pointmeans disposed at an end of said lug means opposite from said lockingsurface, said point means being generally aligned with a diameterextending perpendicualr to said locking surface means and through theaxis of rotation of said pivot means; lug receiving opening meanscarried by said rail means and extending longitudinally thereof; meansfor rotating said lug means; means interposed between said operatingmeans and said lug means for providing yieLdable frictional engagementtherebetween; said lug means being operable to be inserted through saidopening means of said rail means with the elongate direction of said lugmeans extending longitudinally of said opening means; said lug meanswhen inserted through said opening means being operable to be rotated bysaid operating means to bring the locking surface thereof into generallymating engagement with one interior portion of said rail means whilesaid point means abuttingly engages another, longitudinally extending,interior portion of said rail means; said frictional engagementpfoviding means being opreable to cause said locking surface means toremain in mating engagement with said one interior portion of said railmeans, when said operating means is actuated, by interrupting thetransmission of lug rotating movement from said operating means to saidlug means.